Mr. William Joseph Moffatte

William Joseph Moffatte was born November 8, 1930, in Richburg, South Carolina to the late Zeddie Macon Moffatte and Willis Moffatte. He attended public schools in Chester County and graduated from Finley High School in 1949, ranked second in his class. After graduation, William attended State Agricultural and Mechanical College (now South Carolina State University) in 1953 where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. While in college, William enrolled in the Army ROTC program and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1953. He then enlisted in the United States Army. During his 20 years of service, he served in the Korean War and three tours in the Viet Nam War. William excelled in the Army and earned many awards including: National Defense Service Medal, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Air Medal (13th AWD), Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class. William retired at the rank of Major in 1973. He then started a new career with the United States Postal Service and retired from there in 1996. William married the late Hermenia Ward in 1953 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. They were blessed with two children, Dwain and Andria. Hermenia transitioned in 1995. He found love again and married Amy Timmons in 2002. This union blessed him with three more children: Mitchell, Michael, and Yvette. William was a very special man. His love for family and friends was always evident and when we gathered to celebrate him, he seemed to revel in the presence of people who loved him. He had an amazing sense of humor. The memories of the stories that many of us can tell will be with us forever. Everyone has a favorite, for example: The dorm room-sized refrigerator held cans of sodas. His mantra: “If you take one out, put one back.” Another one, “Hand me a ‘sammich’ (It was not really a sandwich, but a ‘cold one’).” And the nickname for a young man 6’7” inches tall was “Tiny.” If all his friends were asked for one word to describe him, it would be “generous.” So many remember gathering at his home on any day, but especially after church on Sundays. Everyone always had a wonderful time with him, learning life-lessons—from the gardener, the cook, the master chef, the wine maker and the grill master. Without formal training but armed with lessons from his degree in agriculture and his great talent, William kept vegetable gardens for those meals and for sharing with everyone. No one EVER left his home empty handed whether a full stomach, a to-go plate, vegetables from his garden (fresh and frozen) or a bottle of his homemade wine. His children, his grandchildren, and great grandchildren; his nieces and nephews are blessed to have learned lessons from a man so full of wisdom, humor, high expectations, and love. The same is true for family-like friends. William was a rather quiet man, but when he spoke and gave his quick smile, people in his presence listened intently. His manner was always gentle, kind, and his presence was powerful and inviting. Memories of that presence in our lives will keep us talking about Mr. Moffatte, Major Moffatte, last name only—Moffatte, Uncle Billy, Uncle Moffatte, or nickname only—Billy or Bill, and of course, Daddy and Granddaddy. He was the oldest of ten children. He was preceded in death by his siblings Maetreatha Mills, Zeddie Jean Moffatte, Catherine E. Green, Raymond L. Moffatte, Sr., and Carol T. Jones. William leaves to cherish his memory: loving wife, Amy T. Moffatte; son, Dwain A. Moffatte of San Antonio, TX; daughter, Andria M. (James) Jeffries of Orangeburg, SC; Mitchell Timmons of Eastover, SC; Michael (Naomi) Timmons of Eastover, SC; Yvette Timmons of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, DeMarcus Moffatte of San Antonio, TX; Austin (Kristin) Jeffries of Orangeburg, SC; Jessica J. (Harold) Jackson of New Market, England; Terrance Moffatte of Douglasville, GA; TeNiqua Moffatte of Villa Rica, GA; Lamont (Cherrelle) Houser of Lexington, SC; Michael (Marissa) Timmons, Jr. of Columbia, SC; Brandi Timmons of Eastover, SC; D’Angelo Oliver of Waldorf, MD; Destini Timmons of Hopkins, SC; Kayla Timmons of Hopkins, SC; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Shirley M. Lewis of Richburg, SC, Fannie Harris of Wilmington, DE, Janet (Robert) Stanton of Fairfax, VA, Loutrell Johnson of Charlotte, NC. A host of nieces, nephews, and special friends.

Mr. William Joseph Moffatte

November 8, 1930 - January 13, 2024